Michael Moore

Michael is an internationally know practicing Ceramic Artist and recipient of several awards from the Arts Councils of Ireland and Northern Ireland and the Design Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI), including The National Craft Bursary of Ireland. He is a registered maker with Craft Northern Ireland and DCCoI. Michael was recently appointed as a Mentor to early career members of DCCoI. Michael is an elected member of the of the International Academy of Ireland (IAC) and the first member ever elected from the island of Ireland. He has held the role of Honorary Treasurer of the IAC and represented Ireland, the UK and the Benelux countries on the Council of the IAC from 2010 to 2020. Michael also chaired the 46th General Assembly of the IAC in 2014 in Dublin Castle.

His research is primarily studio based in ceramic practice. However, his research does extend beyond the studio. Current published research projects (since 2024) include an investigation into the Ceramic Architecture of Dublin city, with a focus on key aesthetic and historical contexts.

Michael is also currently collaboration with the Central Bank of Ireland Archive to examine the role of artists and designers in the development of new Irish currency sine the founding of the Free State. This research is underpinned by previous research examining craft and design development in training management and education in Ireland since 1962.

Since 2022, Michael has established a critical collaboration partnership with Pembroke College, University of Cambridge. Michael has contributed new studio-based artifact research to the ‘Living Water’ research project and exhibition (March 2026) led my Dr. Mark Wormald of Pembroke college and hosted at Cambridge University Library and the new Mill Lane Gallery of Pembroke. Michael’s contribution to this research is an investigation based 3D/laser scanning and printing technologies developed at Atlantic Technical University, Galway and Ulster University 3D printing specialists, titled ‘Re-imag(in)ing the Relic’ This research examines ancient Irish and European stone carvings and bog bodies, and how current technologies can allow for a re examination of these relics in an assessable but hands free, contactless manner. This research also has a literary underpinning, based on the writings, letters, drawings and paintings of Ted Huges, Ted Hughes and Barrie Cook, and housed in the Pembroke College Library Archive. This research has extended (in June 2026) to a funded Artist in Residence at the International Ceramics Research Centre, (ICRC) Guldagergaard, Denmark, where the laser and digital outcomes are further developed into the ceramic artifact.

Beyond the studio Michael has published papers with Ceramics Technical, Ceramics Ireland and online with the Museum of Applied Arts, Belgrade and Museum of Ceramic Art, New York.

Previous Research has included Michael partnering Ulster University with the ‘Ceramics and Its Dimensions’ multi partner European project uniting all facets of ceramic industry and culture including Museums, Galleries, University’s, and Research Institutes. The overall project the project received over €1.9 million in co-funding from the European Union's Creative Europe programme. 

Michael has had a number of collaborative roles with the National Museum of Ireland and Co-Curated the ‘Shadow of Sodeisha’ exhibition of Japanese and Irish Ceramics based on an examination of a Smithsonian essay of the Sodeisha Group of Japanese Potters. The project received significant funding from the National Museum of Ireland, the Japan Foundation and DCCoI. Over 140,000 members of the public attended the year-long exhibtion at Collin's Barracks, Dublin.

Michael has works in the permanent collections of The National Museum of Ireland, The Ulster Museum, The Embassies collection of Ireland, the OPW, Australian National University, New Taipei Ceramics Museum, Taiwan, Fule Museums, China, WOCEF, Icheon, Korea, The Mark Rothko Foundation, Latvia, Keramion Germany, ICRC Denmark, Banff Centre for the Arts And Medalta Museum, Canada and the Clay Studio and Archie Bray Foundation. Michael’s ceramic practice is represented by Galerie Marianne Heller in Heidelberg and Gallery Zozimus in Dublin.

Michael is a member of the PhD Research Ethics Committee of the Research Institute for Art and Design (RIAD) and is a previous member of the RIAD Board and Executive Board. He has supervised 3 PhD’s to conclusion, functioned as Internal Examiner and PhD concluding Viva Chair. Michael has been a RIAD research cluster leader for Creative Ecologies and the Applied Arts staff clusters.

Michael’s Research has been submitted to every RAE/REF since his appointment in 2003.

Civic Leadership Roles.

Michael has successfully engaged with groups throughout his career. He has designed and led numerous community engagements projects, both in Ireland and Northern Ireland. These included an innovative online short course developed and delivered during the Covid pandemic with the ‘Pink Ladies’ in Derry/Londonderry. These are a community group of women living with Cancer and the remote access allowed participants engage both with the learning experience and their medical issues and engagements. All sessions were recorded so individuals could play back the sessions in line with their physical well-being. At this point Michael was appointed by Ulster University as a ‘Civic Ambassador.’ For many years Michael has partnered with the Duncairn Centre for Culture and the Arts in North Belfast (DCCA), leading short courses and community engagement projects to draw sectors of the community closer to positive learning experiences. This has led to artist-in-residence pathway opportunities that have been taken up by a number of Ulster University Graduates. Previously DCCA hosted a BSOA, CJS second year student exhibition, organized by Michael and DCCA to further embed Ulster University in local communities. In 2023-4 Michael developed a new project with St. Mary’s Church (of Ireland), in Crumlin Village, Dublin with senior citizens from that congregation. The project was a celebration of the foundation of the church in 1944 and its community and led to a large ceramic mural, installed in the Church. The Arts Office of Dublin City Council funded the project. In 2023-2005 Michael designed and led another community-based project with the Sion Mills Community Group in Sion Mills. This received significant funding from the UK Ideas Fund. The two-year long project also generated employment for two Belfast School of Art Alumni based in the region, as project facilitatory. The project concluded with a tabletop ceramic map of the village with all key architectural features highlighted. Currently in 2026, with Ceramics Technician David McComiskey, Michael is in discussion with Glow NI to develop a workshop partnership. Glow NI offers programmes to empower women and girls with life skills, positive mental health, and self-esteem.